site.btaBulgaria's Energy Minister Confers with US Acting Assistant Secretary at Bureau of Energy Resources

Bulgaria’s Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov has conferred with Laura Lochman, the US Acting Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Energy Resources, in Washington, D.C., Stankov’s Ministry said on Tuesday. The sides agreed that Bulgaria and the United States will work to deepen cooperation in the energy sector.

Minister Stankov highlighted the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative as an opportunity to ensure a diverse and sustainable natural gas supply for Eastern, Southeastern, and Central Europe. He emphasized the progress of the project, which aims to secure additional gas supplies from various reliable sources for regional markets. "We expect to receive a construction permit for the Kulata-Kresna section of the project by the end of this month and begin construction shortly after," the Minister added.

Stankov and Lochman also discussed the supply of liquefied natural gas from the United States via terminals in Alexandroupolis and Bulgaria’s neighbouring countries as a way for delivering natural gas to the heart of Europe. Stankov highlighted Bulgaria’s strategic location and well-developed gas infrastructure.

The talks also centred on the ongoing energy cooperation between Bulgaria and the US. "The construction of Units 7 and 8 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant is a priority for the Bulgarian Government," Stankov said. He and Lochman discussed ways to speed up the project’s implementation, emphasizing its strategic importance for both Bulgaria and Southeast Europe.